I like the truck and plan to keep it for quite a while. I'm looking for advice from the forum on what are common failure items I should consider proactively replacing at the right mileage and the items that I need to watch for and inspect as I do my routine maintenance?

Suppose this question could be two fold: one on the chassis, the other on the power train 4.2 auto.

I am at 133k now. currently going through the vacuum related engine code issues. inspected the ties and steering joint and am replacing those.

I picked up a tranny, rear end, alt, starter,ac, ps pump from a lower mileage junkie several years ago-old habit from my youth. I don't mind picking up stuff ahead of time if it's been known to go out in the the 150k range I'll be entering soon.

I heard something about serpentine belt pulleys need to be monitored and the belt tensioner.

If you're throwing P0171 / P0174 codes and at 125,000+ miles, you may want to start watching YouTube videos on intake manifold gasket replacement. There are a number of items - vacuum hoses, MAF sensor, fuel filter, fuel pump, etc. - that may cause this code, but the mileage is a pretty good indicator that the problem is intake manifold related. This is a real common problem with the 4.2L V6 engine.

If you're throwing P0171 / P0174 codes and at 125,000+ miles, you may want to start watching YouTube videos on intake manifold gasket replacement. There are a number of items - vacuum hoses, MAF sensor, fuel filter, fuel pump, etc. - that may cause this code, but the mileage is a pretty good indicator that the problem is intake manifold related. This is a real common problem with the 4.2L V6 engine.

Is it a common problem with the 4.6? Mine just started tho wing that code and I'm almost at 164,000

i just replaced my camshaft pos sensor. magnet dropped from the plastic body of the cps. during replacement, i cracked the snap,lock feature of the cps connector. the connector was brittle. makes me think the heat in the area is what helped the magnet to drop out of its plastic mount. my cam syc fin was bent slightly, but still cleared the new cps. shows me the fallen magnet can cause damage.

so, I'm thinking it might be good to replace this part befor it fails. I've seen a lot about replacing the cam sync. the sensing fin is usually broken off, stopping engine some describe as a screeching sound before the engine stops. thinking the magnet rattles around in some cases and breaks the fin. maybe the ground debris falls into the cam sync and destroys it? don't have a failed syc to know, just thoughts. plastic is not going to last a lifetime and maybe consider replacing it around 125k, when mine went.

Suppose this question could be two fold: one on the chassis, the other on the power train 4.2 auto.

Bad title, should or been more specific. Oh well, no biggy. You have a very different F150. It doesn't belong with the other Fords within the Modular Motor Family. For the most part engine wise, you want info for the 4.2L Ford Essex motor and Drive-train. Yea, the other 150's are quite a bit different. They have Truck Motors lol

Isolator Bolts are a common problem, - Oil leaks from the bottom left front cover.

Brakes, -Your not alone, Ford uses absolute garbage on all 150's/10th generation. Replace everything EXCEPT the calipers and Master. I'd swap the caliper pistons out for steel ones tho. The rest should be upgraded. Brembo (Rotors) is the ticket here. Not those high dollar components, they aren't much more than OEM. Replace the brakes lines...All 3

Check your spare tire hoist. If your in a salt belt state, it may have rusted away already.

If it is still there, drop the tire and lube the cable up good (I would take the hoist off and do it, I used axle grease along the entire cable length). While it is down, check the spare tire for cracks and decay as well as tire pressure.

If you have not done so yet (or recently) change all fluids (including transmission (and filter), differential, power steering, coolant and brake fluid).